Upon hearing that Chen Zhennan was going to go to sea for combat, Lin Cheng immediately became interested.
But after thinking about it, Lin Cheng frowned slightly, looking somewhat troubled.
“Your Majesty, there is no problem with going to sea to fight, but if we attack the Japanese mainland, the sea supply line is too long. If we plunder the Japanese money and food on the spot, I'm afraid that this does not conform to your long-standing principles.”
He snorted coldly, his voice tinged with disdain: "There are some races in the world whose inherent flaws can never be changed. Japanese pirates are Japanese pirates after all; there is no need to be merciful to them."
Lin Cheng nodded slightly, his expression serious and earnest, indicating that he agreed with Chen Zhennan's point of view.
"It's not impossible to go out to sea for combat. It's not difficult to defeat the Japanese navy in one fell swoop. It just requires a period of preparation, including having enough food and herbs."
Chen Zhennan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze deep, his eyes slightly widened.
"From now on, I am Lin Cheng's soldier. Naval warfare is your home ground, Lin Cheng. I know nothing about it, so I will not interfere with the deployment of troops."
Lin Cheng was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
He never expected Chen Zhennan to be so good at recognizing and appointing talent, something that previous emperors rarely achieved.
A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and he felt a sense of honor in being trusted.
Lin Cheng knelt on one knee and said loudly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I guarantee I can fulfill your decree."
A relaxed smile finally appeared on Chen Zhennan's face. He was exhausted from traveling for more than ten consecutive days, and even his voice was a little hoarse.
"Lin Cheng, prepare a room for me to rest. I need to get a good night's sleep."
Lin Cheng nodded immediately: "Your Majesty, the room has been prepared for you. Please follow me."
As he spoke, Lin Cheng led Chen Zhennan through the winding corridors to a quiet villa behind the Prince's Mansion.
Chen Zhennan slept until noon the next day. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the bed, and he felt more comfortable than ever before.
After eating a quick bite, feeling refreshed, he called Yan Shiyu over, wanting to go to the beach. He had never been to the beach before in his entire life.
The two rode their horses to the seaside. The weather was clear and sunny, with gentle waves lapping the sand and the calls of seabirds echoing in the air. Everything seemed so pleasant.
Chen Zhennan took a deep breath of the sea breeze and felt his heart and mind open up.
Yan Shiyu found it strange. He scanned the empty beach with his eyes, but there was no one there.
"It's low tide now, but there's no one on the beach?" His voice carried a hint of doubt.
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan was also somewhat puzzled and asked curiously, "After the tide goes out, do people go out to sea to catch fish?"
Yan Shiyu nodded and slowly explained, "After the tide goes out, people will come to the beach to catch fish or something. Even if there are no adults, children will definitely come to play at the beach."
Yan Shiyu searched the beach, but did not find the fishermen and children who should have been there.
Hearing Yan Shiyu say this, Chen Zhennan also felt a little strange. He turned his head and looked around, and suddenly noticed a wooden sign stuck on the shore.
The two approached and took a closer look, only to find that it was a martial law notice, an order issued by Lin Cheng, prohibiting anyone from going to sea until the war was over.
Chen Zhennan frowned slightly, his expression revealing a hint of dissatisfaction: "What does Lin Cheng mean by this? Why forbid ordinary people from going to sea?"
Yan Shiyu's face showed a hint of understanding. He explained, "Your Majesty, Lin Cheng did this to protect the people. The war is still unsettled, and there may be Japanese pirates on the coast. He did this to prevent the people from being harmed."
Chen Zhennan nodded, but was still a little curious. "Lin Cheng's consideration is thorough, but didn't the Japanese navy not come to our coastline? Oh well, it's understandable to do this. We'll just have to wait until the war is over."
Chen Zhennan and Yan Shiyu stood side by side, their eyes gazing at the surging sea.
The waves crashed against the shore from time to time, making a booming sound, like nature's drummer beating the war drums to welcome their arrival.
In the midst of this tranquility, Yan Shiyu's gaze suddenly sharpened, his eyes fixed on the unusual movement on the sea surface.
"Your Majesty, look at those two ships!"
His voice carried a hint of alertness as he pointed to the distant horizon.
Not far away on the sea, two boats that looked like ordinary fishing boats appeared. They were not large, but large enough to hold thirty or forty people.
Under the sunlight, the wood grain of the boat's hull appeared exceptionally clear, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding seawater.
"Those two ships are not our navy's warships!"
Yan Shiyu's voice betrayed a hint of tension, and his eyes flashed with vigilance.
Chen Zhennan looked in the direction Yan Shiyu was pointing. The two ships were not far apart and were obviously together, slowly sailing away.
Chen Zhennan frowned slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and immediately made a decision.
"Shiyu, immediately notify Lin Cheng. If those two ships are not Lin Cheng's navy, intercept them immediately."
Without the slightest hesitation, Yan Shiyu quickly turned around, mounted his warhorse, and the sound of hooves echoed rapidly on the beach like the rhythm of war drums. His figure soon disappeared on the other side of the coastline.
Chen Zhennan stood still, his eyes fixed on the two ships, his hand gently stroking the hilt of the knife at his waist, ready to deal with any possible situation.
Chen Zhennan's gaze was fixed on the two suspicious vessels, which, like ghosts on the sea, were gradually disappearing from his sight.
The sea breeze howled, carrying a salty taste. His brows furrowed, his heart filled with doubt.
Just then, five warships suddenly appeared on the shore, like messengers of the sea god, breaking through the waves.
The sails were adorned with battle flags bearing the character "Lin," belonging to Lin Cheng's navy, which was chasing after the two ships.
These warships were all fast ships; although they weren't very large, they were definitely much faster than the two ships that had left.
Like cheetahs on the sea, they swiftly pursued the two suspicious vessels.
The five warships chased further and further away, and just when Chen Zhennan was feeling uncertain, Lin Cheng's figure suddenly appeared behind him.
"Your Majesty need not worry. These warships are the latest fast ships and can definitely catch up."
Chen Zhennan nodded slightly without speaking, but his eyes revealed his trust in Lin Cheng.
Time passed second by second as the two waited on the coastline, the waves crashing against the shore as if timing them.
About an hour later, the five warships slowly returned, followed by another ship, which was probably the one that had been intercepted.
After a while, the naval commander who had just landed rushed to Chen Zhennan and knelt down on one knee.
"Your Majesty, we have discovered over a million taels of silver on the intercepted ship. There are fifty-three people on board, including men, women, and children."
Chen Zhennan frowned slightly upon hearing this. Over a million taels of silver? For going to sea?
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